Review: ‘Chapter 27’ on DVD

There is nothing too exciting about this film other than the great performance by Leto and a look at a man’s mental collapse before going on a rampage! Here is my review for the film and why you should maybe pass it up while browsing around at your local video store.

The movie takes place three days leading up to John Lennon’s assassination. On December 8, 1980 Mark David Chapman shocked the world by murdering musician and activist, John Lennon, outside The Dakota, his New York apartment building. Chapman’s motives were weaved from pure delusion, fueled by an obsession with the fictional character Holden Caulfield and his similar misadventures in J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye. In one instant, an anonymous, mentally unstable 25-year old, socially awkward Beatles fan who had fluctuated between idealizing Lennon and being overcome with a desire to kill him – altered the course of history.The film takes its title from the idea that through his actions in New York, Chapman was attempting to write his own additional, 27th chapter to Catcher in the Rye which in the book ends with Chapter 26.

Jared Leto is remarkable as he portrays Mark David Chapman, it was mind blowing how Leto shaped up for this role and he really give’s it his all. He went out of his way and literally gains 60 pounds and bears an uncanny physical resemblance to the real Chapman. It reminded me so much of the performance by Robert DeNiro as he becomes the famous boxer Jake Lamotta in Scorsece’s masterpiece ‘Raging Bull’, Also can be said for Christain Bale’s creepy role in ‘The Machinist’. There is a nice supporting performance by believe it or not,Lindsay Lohan, Lohan actually does a decent job as she plays Jude, a fan of Lennons who becomes interested in Mr.Chapman. Throughout the movie and at times I thought of Lohan as a joke but she ends up pulling it off. All in all, if you are a fan of John Lennon and if you want to learn more about the fateful New York weekend and what came of it,than this film is for you. If not, then you are only missing a fine performane by a talented actor in Jared Leto.

This movie will be released on DVD this Tuesday.
Unfortunately there are no special features on the DVD
Rated R for language and some sexual content
Running Time:84 minutes